Safety match book



Oct' 1, 1957 K; J. RHEA 2,808,149

SAFETY MATCH BooK Filed Jan. 2a, 195'?V IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent lice 2,808,149 Patented Oct. 1, 1957 SAFETY MATCH BOOK Kenneth J. Rhea, Chicago, lll.

Application January 28, 1957, Serial No. 636,527

2 Claims. (Cl. 206-29) This invention relates to safety matches and more particularly to a safety shield for isolating a plurality of groups of matches from each other within the book.

It is au object of the present invention to provide a safety match book in which the matches are separated from each other so that the entire book of matches cannot accidentally be ignited.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a book of safety matches of the above type in which the matches are divided into isolated groups by a safety shield which further insulates the match book cover to reduce injury resulting from accidental burning of any of the matches.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a safety match book bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and eicient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety match book made in accordance with present invention, in -a closed position;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view, with parts broken away, of the match book shown in Figure 1, in an open position;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a safety shield made in accordance with present invention.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing, and more particularly to Figures 1, 2, 3, a safety match book 10, made in accordance with present invention is shown to be constructed of a continuous strip of flame resistant paper that is divided by crease lines into an outer back wall 12 having a cover 13 at one end and a U-shaped base 15 at an opposite end. Two rows of matches 16, 17, together with the downwardly depending tongue 24 of the T-shaped safety shield 20 are secured within the base 15, such as by a staple 21. The upper portion of the safety shield 20 includes an inner upper back wall 23.

A strip of material, folded upon predetermined crease lines provides a divider section that is secured to the front surface of the upper back wall 23, so as to define a plurality of similar compartments 26. As is clearly shown in Figure 5, each compartment includes a top wall 27 and a double thickness side wall 28 at each side, except for the compartments which have a single thickness side wall at the outermost sides thereof. The front edges of the side walls are tapered downwardly and inwardly to dene a contoured surface 30.

With reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that each compartment 26 is adapted to receive a single match 16, 17 from each of the separate rows of matches. Thus, in view of the insulating side walls 28, separating each compartment from the next, the accidental ignition of the matches in one compartment substantially reduces the possibility of any of the adjacent matches also igniting. As is clearly shown in Figure 3, the divider top walls 27 and side walls 28, together with the upper back wall 23, additionally insulates the outside walls 12 of the match book, whereby any burns resulting from the accidental ignition of the matches is further reduced.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be within the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A safety match book comprising, in combination, an outer back wall, a cover hingeably and integrally associated with the upper portion of said outer back wall, a U-shaped base integral with the lower portion of said outer wall, a plurality of rows of matches secured within said base, and a safety shield disposed between said matches and said outer wall secured within said base, and common fastening means securing said matches and said shield within said base, said safety shield comprising an inner upper back wall having a depending tongue, said tongue being adapted to be secured by said fastening means, and said inner upper back wall including a divider providing a plurality of adjacent similar compartments, each of said compartments being adapted to enclose one match of each of said plurality of rows of matches, said divider being constructed of a single continuous strip folded along predetermined crease lines to dene side wall and top wall portions, each of said compartments being defined by one of Said top wall portions and at least one of said side wall portions at each side.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Millen May 28, 1895 Bongiovanni July l0, 1956 

